Wildlife Photography Tour in Costa Rica

After your international flight, your private guide will be waiting for you to begin your journey near San José, where you can relax in a hotel with tropical gardens. Surrounded by heliconias, orchids, and butterflies, this is the perfect place for a relaxing introduction to Costa Rica’s nature before venturing into more rugged regions.

A walk in the gardens provides a first taste of the country’s incredible biodiversity, setting the tone for the adventure ahead and allowing easy photography opportunities right on the lodge grounds.

Target species at the hotel’s garden: Lesson’s Motmot, Rufous-capped Warbler, White-eared Ground-Sparrow, Mottled Owl, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Great Kiskadee and Blue-gray Tanager.

High in the Talamanca mountains, this is one of the very best places in the world to see the Resplendent Quetzal. The cool cloud forest is home to numerous highland endemics, making it a dream for birders and photographers alike.

Visitors stay in specialized lodges surrounded by gardens and trails where hummingbirds, warblers, and silky-flycatchers are easy to observe. The mountain air, spectacular views, and abundance of rare species make this region an unforgettable highlight of any wildlife journey.

Target species in Cerro de la Muerte: Resplendent Quetzal, Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Sulphur-winged Parakeet, Collared Redstart, Sooty-capped Chlorospingus, Yellow-thighed Brushfinch, Flame-throated Warbler, Volcano Hummingbird and Spangle-cheeked Tanager.

Sarapiquí is one of the most accessible rainforests in Costa Rica, alive with sounds and colors at every turn. Walks through the forest reveal monkeys in the canopy, bright toucans and trogons, and colorful frogs among the leaves, while boat trips along the Sarapiquí River provide a different perspective on the region’s rich wildlife.

This is also a center for tropical research, where visitors can learn about conservation and scientific projects. With its mix of rivers, forests, and feeders, Sarapiquí is the perfect first deep immersion into the country’s biodiversity.

Target species in Sarapiquí: Great Green Macaw, White-collared Manakin, Snowy Cotinga, Sunbittern, plus toucans, trogons, parrots and woodcreepers. Mammals include howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, spider monkeys, sloths, and river otters. Reptiles and amphibians often seen are green iguanas, basilisks, poison dart frogs, glass frogs and eyelash vipers.

Boca Tapada is one of Costa Rica’s premier destinations for wildlife photography. Fruit feeders bring toucans and parrots within arm’s reach, while a unique hide allows intimate views of King Vultures. The rainforest here feels remote and untouched, creating a paradise for birders and photographers alike.

Boat tours along the San Carlos River add another layer of adventure, with herons, otters, and kingfishers along the banks. At night, multi-flash photography sessions capture nectar-feeding bats in action, offering a rare chance to photograph species usually hidden from sight.

Target species in Boca Tapada: Great Green Macaw, King Vulture, Keel-billed Toucan, Collared Aracari, Yellow-throated Toucan, Central American Pygmy Owl, plus trogons, parrots, oropendolas and a wide variety of colorful rainforest species frequently seen at the feeders. Lots of hummingbirds, bats and other mammals can often be spotted.

The final day is reserved for the return to San José and your international flight. Depending on your schedule, optional stops can be arranged along the way—whether a scenic viewpoint, a wildlife garden, or a local town visit.

This flexibility ensures a smooth conclusion to the adventure, with the chance for one last taste of Costa Rica’s landscapes and wildlife before departure.